Top 70 Quotes & Sayings by Ariel Helwani

You know how some fighters retire but you have a feeling they will be back at some point? I don't get that feeling from Chad Mendes.

Sometimes when a champ wins, there's a debate about who should be next for him or her.

I'm not trying to steal anyone's shine.

I welcome someone who is willing to march to the beat of his own drum - to hell with the haters.

I don't love the term gatekeeper because it feels like there's a negative connotation attached to it, so I prefer to go with litmus test.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is the most dominant fighter in the history of MMA.

I've said this before, but I need to repeat it again: Nothing impresses me more than when MMA fighters handle a particularly tough defeat with grace and class.

That's my role, I go get news.

Bethe Correia is really wacky, but I love it.

It's one thing to boo, but to actually pelt someone down below because you're upset a sporting event went a certain way is just so bizarre to me.

I think Valentina Shevchenko has a great chance of breaking Demetrious Johnson's record of 11 straight title defenses.

If I have news and sit on it I'm not doing my job.

I'm always impressed by how fighters can compartmentalize their lives before big fights.

If you have an issue with someone, call them out. Don't paint everyone with the same brush.

You can never have enough wacky in MMA.

I'm not doing Pulitzer Prize work where I'm unearthing major negative stories about the UFC or some big controversies. It's just kind of day-to-day fodder.

My oldest son's name is Oliver and my second son's name is Walter.

Considering fighters are usually going to want to fight the best, they need to be protected from themselves. That's where management should come in.

The fight game has never been just about winning.

I've often felt that it was important to have an MMA media association, not so much to fight battles and things of that nature but also to teach a lot of the younger journalists.

I have no problem admitting I have a soft spot in my heart for Faber. He's a pioneer and a trailblazer and has always been a pleasure to cover. He's a great guy who happens to be my mom's favorite fighter, as well.

I always feel like I leave a Max Holloway fight week feeling good about the state of MMA.

When I'm watching a fight with my wife, when the women come on, I can tell she's more into the fight.

I can understand why people have a hard time separating their feelings on Covington the man and Covington the fighter. He certainly doesn't make it easy. He's extremely polarizing on his tamest day. But it's important to note that he wants the world to hate him.

Rousey took the fast track and marketed herself well.

The MMA world is a much better place when the Diaz brothers are fighting and thriving, isn't it?

I honestly don't understand how people don't enjoy watching Ryan Hall compete. I genuinely love every minute of his fights. They are different and fun. I'm captivated the entire time.

I have a lot of contacts, a lot of sources that I've developed over the years and I like to break this guy signs, this guy is fighting this guy, this event is happening on such a date.

One of my roles, and one of the things I'm good at, is breaking news.

Donald Cerrone vs. Justin Gaethje is no doubt a fun fight on paper.

Well, the Cris Cyborg-UFC relationship has mercifully come to an end. The ending was ugly and unfortunate, but I can't say I'm too torn up about it.

Aspen Ladd is quite the enigma. She looks and acts like a Girl Scout out of the cage, but in there she is an absolute beast.

The record books might not indicate it, but if you ask me, Chael is a former WEC light heavyweight champion.

KSW might just be the best promotion you've never heard of.

I am being completely serious when I state this: Sage Northcutt might just be the nicest human being I have ever met in my life. He is sweet as can be. He doesn't have an evil bone in his body.

Paulo Costa vs. Yoel Romero was everything we hoped it would be. Two behemoths throwing sledgehammers at each other and walking forward. Just an incredible display of athleticism, will and power.

Different is good.

I hate when people discuss scorecards in title fights and say you have to decisively beat the champ if you want to win the belt. Not true. You just have to win three of the five rounds, really.

You have to entertain in the UFC. Like it or not, this isn't news. It has been this way for a while, and it will continue to be this way.

Bruce Buffer will forever be synonymous with the UFC and is a living legend, but I very much enjoy when Joe Martinez works a UFC card. He's a pro with a great delivery.

I don't mind showboating. Sports are supposed to be fun.

Henry Cejudo actually saved the flyweights. Like, an entire division. I feel like this should be a bigger deal.

There's no rule that states you must touch gloves before a fight.

Curtis Blaydes' ground and pound is really scary. Like, really, really scary.

We need more coaches like Eugene Bareman in this sport.

They don't make them like Trevor Wittman anymore.

Never a dull moment in MMA, right?

Chael will forever go down as one of my favorite interviews because he always kept you on your toes.

Usually, you become a star and then a champion.

I want to be the Howard Cosell of MMA.

Jorge Masvidal is a star. That wasn't always the case. Hardcore fans always knew how good he was, but it always seemed like he would fall short in the big one.

Orange County is one of the all-time great markets for MMA.

Lord knows we've been guilty of getting too excited about a title reign only to see it last one or two fights.

I know he's not an MMA fighter, but can we just talk about how great Deontay Wilder is? He's must-see TV. Not since Mike Tyson has boxing had an American heavyweight who could hit like him... and talk like him, too. I love his interviews, his demeanor, his fighting style... the whole package.

I'll never forget the 2019 edition of International Fight Week for a couple of reasons: Not only did I experience my first earthquake, but I also got to work as a sideline reporter for three NBA Summer League games.

All in all, UFC 239 delivered. There's no doubt about it.

I love journalism.

When Misha Cirkunov started his UFC career a perfect 4-0, I really thought he'd be a legit player at 205.

When the UFC visits Canada, the card is usually filled up with a bunch of Canadians.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating for five-month breaks, like in other sports. That's way too long. All I'm saying is it sure is nice to miss MMA from time to time.